“Tell me exactly where you are.”

Sizzling fajitas were set before Lina at the same moment her cell phone dinged with a new text message. This time it was Nick. I was apart from my phone. Are you okay?

Are you home?

Close by.

She felt a pang of jealousy at the thought of him and Emily. Are you with her?

A few minutes passed before he responded. Why?

I want to see you.

I don’t think that’s a good idea.

I’m at our Mexican restaurant. Please.

“What are you doing here?” Nick asked after lowering himself down into the chair across from Lina fifteen minutes later. His chest was rising and falling with his breathing, and it was obvious he had exerted energy to get there.

“I came to see you.” Her eyes traveled over his face. She didn’t like the coolness in his eyes. “Don’t be mad.”

“Why did you come to see me?”

“I miss you.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

His eyes dropped to her almost-empty glass. “How much have you had to drink?”

“I’m not drunk, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“I’m not implying anything. I was asking.”

“Leave if you’re going to be cold to me,” she said.

“Lina—”

“I’m serious. I don’t want this memory, and I’ll just pretend you never came.” She finished the remainder of her drink and intentionally turned her chair slightly so she wasn’t facing him.

“I’m trying to maintain an air of professionalism with you, but you’re making it impossible.”

“I don’t want you to be professional with me.” She turned her chair so she was once again facing him. “I don’t think of you as a doctor.”

“That’s good, because I don’t think like a doctor when I’m with you.” He paused to order a scotch as a waiter stopped beside the table.

“Are things okay with Emily?”

“I don’t want to talk about Emily. This isn’t about Emily.”

“Do you love her?”

“Lina, what are you doing?”

“Trying to be your friend.”

He laughed aloud. “We’re not friends. I shouldn’t even be here. You have a husband.”

“I don’t know how to be without him. He’s all I know.”

“Then you should be home with him, instead of sitting across from me.”

“Right now I hate him, but I know it isn’t going to last. My mind can’t hold on to the anger. I think I can, and then something happens that reminds me how much I need him.”

He blew out a stream of air. “I can’t do this.”

“Do what?”